Colonic irrigator



April 24, 1934. A, R, COONS 1,956,006

COLONIC IRRIGATOR Filed Dc. l5, 1931 n u v i `n f 5 0 n I w i` El; m L

i ,n c! HQ E I Y l,r""' "f1" N j X rfl l u l l Q Mfg l 2 Q l 'I l l `oo l l l Q l l l l l l l l I INVENTOR ALBERT R. GOON mm ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 2.4-, 1934 STATES PART COLGNEC R-RIGA'EJOR Aibert R. Coons, Fairfield, Calif.

Application December 15, 1931, Serial No. 581,092

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ccionic irrigators.

The principal object of the invention is to substitute a positively controlled air pressure for the usual gravity o-w under hydrostatic head.

y form. It is to be understood, however, that it may and plug 5.

be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims following the description.

The present apparatus is intended for colonic irrigation and particularly for the administering of high enemas. In such anal treatments soft rubber tubes are introduced in the colon from one to three feet. It is important that the operator have complete control over the flow of liquid through the tubes to avoid the spontaneous refleXes of the patient, which result in impeding the further introduction of the tube or his inability to retain the liquid administered. The elimination of these and other disadvantages have been demonstrated in the practical use of the present invention.

In the one lsheet of drawing a colonic irrigator constructed in accordance with this invention is diagrammatically shown in elevation, with certain of the parts in fragmentary vertical section to disclose the interior arrangement of parts.

In detail the construction illustrated in the drawing comprises the hollow base 1, preferably molded of bakelite or a similar sanitary acid resisting composition having the flanged sides 2, leaving a hollow space within, for the concealment of piping.

The motor 3 is mounted upon the base and provided with the conventional plug in the cable 4 The air compressor 6 is mounted upon the base and has its crank shaft coupled at 7 to the motor shaft.

From the air compressor the compressed air flows through the check valve 8, the tube 9 and the valve 10, at which point it enters the air pressure tank 11. This tank is provided with the safety blowoi valve 12 and the high pressure gauge 13. The air outlet 14 is controlled by the conventional automatic pressure governor valve 15, the

'I function of which is to prevent the delivery of (Cl. 12S-225) more than a predetermined set pressure into the pipe 16 through the valve 17.

This pipe 16 is connected by the union coupling 18, to the top of the liquid container 19, which is mounted upon the base 1. This container is provided with the hermetically sealed pressure-tight ller cap 19', of ample size to permit access to the v interior of the container for cleaning and sterilization. The pressure gauge 20 indicates the reduced pressure maintained by the governor valve 15. The liquid gauge glass 21 is xed in the top and bottom ttings 22-23, on the container to indicate the liquid level 24 therein.

The bottom of the container is preferably depressed, as shown, to facilitate its complete emptying through the outlet pipe 25 connected to the bottom by the union coupling 26.

The outlet 25 is provided with the control Valve 27, preferably lever operated, or otherwise constructed to insure a sensitive control of the liquid delivery. The flexible tube 28 oi convenient length is attached to the valve 2'7 and terminates in the conventional enema tube 29.

The whole apparatus described is of small dimension, about 12" X 18 X 20, and is easily portable. The whole may be enclosed within the cover 20, indicated in dotted lines, and detachably attached to the base flange 2, and provided with the convenient handle 31.

This invention is operated substantially as follows: The container 19 is lled to the desired level 24 through the cap 19'. Since some colonic irrigating liquids are highly medicated and contain oils and other substances which attack metals, it is desirable to construct the container 19 and all fittings thereon of suitable noncorrodible materials such as Nevastain Nirosta K. A. 2, or any other suitable alloys or materials.

The motor and pump are then operated until the desired high pressure is attained in the tank 11, about pounds per square inch. This pressure is reduced at 15 and builds up a pressure of about 20 pounds per square inch in the container 19 above the liquid 24. This pressure can be varied by adjusting the governor 15, or it may be released by closing the valve 17 and opening the pet cock 32.

The tube 29 is lubricated and inserted in accordance with the proper technique. After the tube is entered a safe distance the valve 27 is opened slightly to ll and open the colon ahead of the tube end, which facilitates the further introduction of the tube. If the patient has a convulsive reex, the valve 27 is gently operated to relieve the pressure until the patient relaxes.

By carefully studying his patient and mastering the operation of the apparatus, the maximum quantity can be absorbed by a relaxed patient free from the disturbing reflexes inseparable from the common types of fountain and mechanical syringes heretofore used.

When oil emulsions and other mechanical mixtures not in ixed solution are used in the container they can be mixed at intervals by opening the Valve 33, which admits air from the tank 11, through the tube 34, and into the container 19 through the outlet at 26. Needless to caution that the Valve 2'? must be closed during this agitation produced by the air bubbling upward through the liquid 24. This valve 33, and connections, is very useful also in blowing out the tubes 25, 2S, 29 in cleaning the apparatus after the liquid is Withdrawn.

The container can be readily detached from the base and uncoupled at 18-26 for the purpose of cleaning and sterilization through the cap 19.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A colonic irrigator including in combination an air compressing means, a pressure tank and a liquid container; an automatic pressure regulator interposed between said tank and container, an enema tube connected with said container and agitating means comprising a valve controlled connection from said tank to the bottom of said container and to said enema tube.

2. A colonic irrigator including in combination a pressure storage tank; a pressure regulator in an outlet from said tank; a pressure tight liquid container having an inlet connected with said regulator; an air compressor connected with said storage tank; a connecting tube with' an interposed valve between said tank and the bottom of said container and an enema tube connected with said connecting tube.

ALBERT R. COONS. 

